The newest trend in horror is this: once you’ve exhausted your franchise with as many sequels as possible, many of them delivering diminishing returns, unfortunately, the only way forward is backward. And thus, you’ll have noticed many horror franchises going the prequel route in order to start fresh and new. Recent examples include “Prometheus,” “Prey,” “Pearl,” “Insidious: Chapter 3,” “Annabelle: Creation,” and “Ouija: Origin of Evil” (though yes, the trend goes way back). The latest film to look backward in order to forward is the “Omen” franchise with “The First Omen.”
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Helmed by writer/director Arkasha Stevenson (“Vessels”), “The First Omen” serves as a prequel to the 1976 classic horror, “The Omen.” The film follows an American woman sent to work at a church in Rome but uncovers a sinister conspiracy to bring about the birth of an Antichrist.
The film features breakout star Nell Tiger Free, the 24-year-old actress who led Night Shyamalan’s “Servant” series on Apple for four seasons. She also had a crucial role in Nicolas Winding Refn’s series, “Too Old To Die Young” in 2019.
The cast also stars Tawfeek Barhom (“Mary Magdalene”), Sonia Braga (“Kiss of the Spider Woman”), Ralph Ineson (“The Northman”), and Bill Nighy (“Living”). A recently released poster teased the film’s stark, ominous tone, but now a new trailer has revealed more.
Here’s the official synopsis:
In this prequel directed by Arkasha Stevenson, a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church. She encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.
“The First Omen” is scheduled to be theatrically released by 20th Century Studios on April 5, 2024, in wide release. The film will go up against Roadside Attractions’ “Dreamer” film starring Ari Lopez, Alfredo Castro, Diego Calva, and more. Watch the new trailer below.